How To Improve Fuel Efficiency

With the cost of petrol and diesel at record levels and reaching almost £2 per litre on average in the summer, it is understandable that motorists are dreading having to go to the petrol station right now. Fortunately, there are a few ways that you can improve your fuel efficiency that could help you to make significant savings over the long term.

Check Your Tyres

A good starting point is to check your tyre pressure. If your tires are underinflated, your vehicle will use more fuel to keep them moving, so you should check what the recommended pressure is and keep them at this level. In addition to improving fuel efficiency, this will also prolong the life of your tyres. You should also check the tread depth to ensure that your tires are safe, legal and roadworthy. Having gap insurance in place is also worthwhile so that you are financially protected if you crash and have the vehicle written off.

Turn Off Air Con

It might be nice to have the air con on, especially on a hot day, but this will reduce fuel efficiency as the engine will have to work harder to keep the car cool. However, if you are driving on a motorway then it might be best to close the windows and turn the air con on as this will make the vehicle more aerodynamic.

Check Fuel Prices

A simple tip is to simply research fuel prices in your area online so that you can find the cheapest place to fill up. You might be surprised at the difference simply by comparing your options online and checking online first will save you from having to drive around. Supermarket petrol stations often offer points that could be redeemed on petrol or in-store, which could help you to make savings.

Lighten Your Load

To improve fuel efficiency, you want to make your vehicle as light as possible to reduce drag. Therefore, it is a good idea to have the bare minimum in the car when making a journey so emptying the boot and taking off the roof rack can make a positive difference.

Fill Up Halfway

You could also try filling up your tank only halfway. This is beneficial because it means that you do not have the weight of a full tank of petrol to carry, which will make your vehicle more fuel efficient. Just make sure that you fill up before the warning light comes on, though, as driving without enough fuel can do costly damage to your car.

These are a few effective ways to improve your fuel efficiency, which could help you to make big savings in a time when the cost of fuel is a major concern for motorists.